These rods were developed by a gentleman named Bob Brunsell for fishing small streams where there was little room for a backcast. They were never meant for long casts or for carrying a lot of line in the air. They are designed to use with a level line, and to shoot line with as little as 5' of line past the tip. Having known Mr. Brunsell, I am familiar with his rods and the way he meant for them to be used. He fished the small streams of Wisconsin, and the 5' 5wt. was his personal favorite.